Unscripted (32 page)

Ronan’s soothing sultry accent jolted me from my sleep. “Wake up my beauty, you’re dreaming.”

I sat up and immediately regretted the decision. My eyes couldn’t focus… my head was spinning. Feeling a little fuzzy, I fell back, sinking into the coziness of the bed.

“
Ronan, what time is it?” I moaned, trying to open my eyes fully.

“
It’s almost six,” he said gruffly.

I looked over at him, and he was smiling at me. I took in the sight of him, looking seductively handsome in the pale light pouring into the master suite from the bathroom. The light caught the natural highlights in his dark loose curls.

“
What the hell was I dreaming about?”

“
You were screaming about Derek.” He rolled up from under the covers, leaning against the headboard. “I’m glad I was here this time to pull you from your nightmare. You were thrashing around pretty wildly.”

I blew out a breath. “I’m sorry Ronan. I don’t mean to worry you.”

“
My beauty, I will always worry about you,” he said quietly while rubbing my arm.

“
Ronan,” I wailed. “Stop fussing over me please.”

“
Holliday, I’m utterly confused. Please help me understand why you take issue with my concern for your well-being. All I want is to try to keep you safe.”

“
I… I don’t know Ronan.” I said, throwing my arms in the air. “I think my issue is that my mother put everything into a relationship with my father… depending on him to take care of her.” My eyes began to prick with hot tears. “She came home one day, and it was all gone in a flash. I need to make sure my eyes are wide open where this relationship is concerned.”

“
Holliday… ” His voice was strained. “For once in your life, trust somebody. Let me be that somebody that you trust. I
want
to be that someone for you.”

“
I don’t want to need you Ronan,” I replied.

I stared into Ronan’s eyes, studying his gorgeous face. His bottom lip quivered as he inhaled sharply. “Please Holliday, it’s taken me years to find you. I don’t want to lose you.”

“
That’s just it.
I
don’t want to lose
you
. Ronan, I have never needed a man before, not like I need you. Losing you would break me, and I don’t think I’d recover.”

There – it was out. It hit me like a freight train… the realization that I
actually
needed him.
Christ almighty.

“
Oh, Holliday. You
won’t
lose me,” he replied sweetly, rubbing the pad of his thumb across my cheek. “I cannot imagine my life without you in it. My heart aches when you’re not with me. I couldn’t sleep the other night. I missed you terribly.”

I knew exactly what Ronan was talking about because I’d felt the same ache. I didn’t know why I was fighting my feelings for this insanely attractive man who had been totally honest with me and loving me so deeply that he’d moved across the country to be with me. I was hopelessly head over heels for Ronan Connolly. He was right. I needed to just let go. As scary as it was, I was going to take that leap. I was thinking with my heart and my head, and it felt so good.

“
All right, Ronan Connolly, you are mine and I am yours,” I announced proudly. “Let’s do this. I’ll move in with you, and I’ll love you as long as my heart beats in my chest, until the day I take my last breath on this Earth.”

Smiling, Ronan leaned over the middle of the bed and kissed me. “Good because that’s the only way I want it. Losing you is
not
an option. I love you, Holliday. I’d move heaven and Earth to keep you safe and make you feel loved.”

“
You know we’re a total cliché right?”

His eyes flashed as he gently swept the hair away from my cheek. Ronan pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly. My head fell into him as I nuzzled into his broad chest.

“
Why do you say that?”

“
Because we’ve known each other for a little over a week, and suddenly we’re in love.”

Instantly my heart seized, when I said the words “in love.” I didn’t know if Ronan was actually in love with me or not. I know there is a difference.

“
Ah, I see. What was it you said a few days ago? Oh yes, let me make sure I get this right— fuck the haters.”

“
I believe I said screw not fuck,” I laughed. “I guess we’re just going to have to prove them wrong.”

“
Love isn’t something you can put a timeline on, you know that right? As it would seem, fate had other plans for us. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“
I suppose that is true,” I admitted threading my fingers with his.

Warmth flooded through me as I lay curled against Ronan. Silence enveloped us, and I took a few moments to just enjoy— feeling cherished. It was foreign concept to me, but one I knew I was going to grow to appreciate quickly with Ronan.

“
Ronan,” I said quietly.

“
Yes, Holliday.” His rich accent purred.
I love the way he says my name.

“
Don’t ever let go.”

“
Never, my beauty. Not ever. You are mine.”

I closed my eyes and fell asleep to the sound of Ronan’s steadily beating heart.

One Week Later

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Ronan

She thought that I was asleep, but I was watching her; watching her while she dug her toes in the sand, watching her as she smoothed unruly, wind whipped strands of hair behind her ears. The sunlight danced all around her, she looked like an angel— a sexy angel. Definitely
not
the biblical type, although Jesus Christ himself would be lucky to have Holliday Prescott on his team.

Looking in my direction, I caught her smiling. I did nothing except admire her beauty. Loving Holliday was easy — yes, I fell hard and so did my cock. You know what I’m saying. I mean no disrespect; she is without question the most stunning creature I’ve ever laid my eyes upon.

She doesn’t know this, but when I passed through the lobby at The York Hotel on my way to the photo shoot, I saw her sitting by the fireplace. She was tapping her ink pen against her bottom lip. I only saw her for a few moments, but I felt a strong pull towards Holliday. It would be my good Irish luck that my darling daughters laid the groundwork for me. I’ll be sure to thank them someday—
maybe
.

Recalling our first dinner together, it did not go well.
That
was entirely my fault. I was very thankful Dean interrupted, telling me I needed to take a call from Nina. Desperately needing a few moments to pull my shit together, I felt like I might say or do something utterly idiotic. I was too forward and much too arrogant with my words. A total fool, I’ll blame jet-lag for my ungentlemanly like conduct. Thank the Lord Holliday gave me a second chance to prove myself.

When Holliday told me the story behind her scars and how she had been… I can’t even say the word.
That
crushed me. But, she surprised me with her unbelievable courage and strength. Two of the characteristics I love most about her. I can’t pinpoint an exact moment when I knew I loved her, probably because I feel like I’ve loved her forever, because it feels like I have known her forever— not giving a fuck if I sounded like a sappy wanker. I won’t apologize for that.

“
Señor Connolly,” a warm Spanish accent greeted me.

“
Yes, Javier. What can I do for you?”

“
Sir, Mrs. Connolly’s afternoon massage appointment, you asked to be notified one hour before.”

Hearing the title Mrs. Connolly gave me terrible flashbacks to my ex-wife, but it also made me smile on the inside at the presumptuous staff thinking Holliday and I were married.

“
Javier, Holliday is not my wife, but I appreciate the compliment.”

“
Many apologies to you, Señor Connolly.”

“
Not to worry. I will deliver her to the spa personally, Javier. Gracias.”

“
De nada, Señor Connolly.”

Holliday waded into the water. My eyes darted around taking in our surroundings. No paparazzi that I can see.
God, she’s beautiful.
I
need
to fuck her soon— it’s been far too many days.

The vibrations from my phone pulled me from my perverted thoughts. It’s the third time in an hour, my Manager has rang me. He knows I am on vacation. Whatever bullshit he has to tell me can wait. Hitting ignore, I shoved the phone in Holliday’s beach bag.

She emerged from the sea, like some mythical goddess… no better yet a “Bond Girl.” Pushing to my feet, I grabbed her towel from the lounge chair. Smiling, she stopped and wrung the water from her dark hair.

She jogged lightly towards me, “Hey there.”

“
Hey there yourself, my beauty,” I replied, softly wrapping her in the towel. I took my time drying her off, kissing every inch of exposed skin, which was a lot since she was wearing scraps of fabric that left little to the imagination.
One of the few things the French managed to get right.

“
Did you have a nice swim?”

“
I did, the water is unbelievably warm.”

“
I am very glad to hear that,” I replied, threading my fingers through her damp locks. “By the way I have a surprise for you.”

“
You’re spoiling me,” she replied, pressing a kiss to my cheek.

“
Yes, I am, and it’s only the beginning of our vacation. You have a massage in an hour,” I said, trailing my fingers across her collarbone. Goosebumps splashed across her skin.

“
Ronan,” she hummed.
I adore the way she says my name.

“
Yes,” I murmured against her neck.

“
You’re phone is buzzing.”

“
I know.” I trailed my thumb across her lips. “I’m trying to ignore it.”

“
Oh, but what if it’s a…” Crushing my lips to hers, I cut her off mid-sentence. I’m lost to everything in this moment— except
her
. All I hear are Holliday’s soft sexy little moans, she makes when we kiss. However, my concentration is broken when my cellphone continues to buzz. Retrieving it from her beach bag, I contemplate throwing it out into the sea. But my eyes shift to the text message on the screen: CALL ME IMMEDIATELY. VIDEO OF YOU AND GRADY LEAKED ONLINE. DONNA AND I ARE ON DAMAGE CONTROL.

My heart pounded in my ribcage. I felt my shoulders tense and the blood begin to surge in my veins. Expelling a deep breath, I shoved my hands through my hair. The bastard deserved a lot more than a punch to the jaw. Why did he have to taunt me? Fuck, that is no excuse. I know better. But when he said, “How does it feel knowing
I
had her first, Connolly?” It took everything in me not to rip his fucking throat out.

Hooking her hand around my waist, she asked, “Ronan, what is it?”

“
Fuck! Grady James and that goddamn altercation at Indigo Row. Our fight was leaked online.”

Holliday pulled away. I realized I had yelled directly in her face.

“
Sorry, so sorry, my beauty,” I grabbed her face, pressing a reassuring kiss to her soft lips.

“
Hey, remember that thing I said about when a problem arises, we’ll handle it together?”

“
Yes,” I mumbled.

“
That goes for you too,” she said smiling, taking my hand in hers. “Now, call your PR team, find out what’s going on and then let’s see about getting you in for a massage as well.”